United Firefighters of Los Angeles City
Fire Foundation
Summer 2026 Grants and Scholarships
Application deadline is May 15th, 2026
The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Fire Foundation (UFLACFF) Grant and Scholarship Program provides educational assistance to fire service members and their immediate families.
The UFLACFF will be offering the following grants and scholarships for the Summer of 2026 awards:
Two – $4,000 grants/scholarship
Four – $2,000 grants/scholarships
Four – $1,000 grants/scholarships
Eligibility Requirements
The Applicant must be an active firefighter, or an immediate family member, wishing to further their education, or in need of assistance with tuition, books, materials, trade specific tools or equipment, internet access etc.
*An active firefighter or his or her immediate family member is eligible for an Award Grant once every 12-month period.
Application Process
Applicants seeking a Scholarship or Grant Award must complete the application packet and forward it to UFLACFF by May 15th, 2026. Applications may be submitted online, by e-mail to edugrant@uflac.org or mailed to:
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local #112
c/o UFLACFF Scholarship/Grant Program
1571 W Beverly Blvd, Suite 201 Los Angeles, CA 90026
Application deadline is May 15th, 2026 for the Summer 2026 Awards
Funding
Funding for the grants and scholarships is made possible by UFLACFF, a 501 (c) (3) Charitable Organization, created by United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local 112 (UFLAC) to assist firefighters and the families of firefighters. Donations have been designated specifically to support these opportunities for firefighters and their immediate families.
Awards and Grants Amount and Distribution
- Each Grant Award is based on the specific needs of each applicant
- Awards will be announced in July 2026
- Awards will be made directly to the applicant, if over age 18, or to the parents/guardians of a minor child
Please click here to fill out the online application
Please click here to download a PDF application.
Special thank you to the main Education Grant sponsors & our supporters!
Major Sponsors:
- Matthew S. McNicholas – McNicholas & McNicholas, LLP
- Matthew and Miho Blumkin – The Blumkin Family Foundation
- Jennifer Lincicum – Fickewirth
- Straussner Sherman Lonne Treger Helquist and Krupnik
- UFLAC Fire Foundation
- Gold Lee – Lewis, Marenstein, Sherwin, Wicke and Lee
- Brian and Mary Ann Hishinuma – Retired – LAFD
- Tech SGT Jack Kushner Ret’d Foundation, Inc.
- Greenspan Co./Adjusters International
Supporters:
- Jimmy Blackman & Associates
Summer 2025 Scholarship Awardees
The winners of the UFLAC Grant and Scholarship Program for 2025 Mid-Year Education Grants were announced at the November General Membership Meeting.
The scholarship grant recipients:
$4,000 Grants
Kari Fields: LAFD Firefighter for 6 years, assigned to Fire Station 83. Kari is working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Her future goal is to earn a Master’s Degree in Nursing.
Celeste Ramirez: Daughter of Victor Ramirez, LAFD Firefighter at FS 97. Celeste is attending College of the Canyons, pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and Physical Therapy.
Mathew Castillo: LAFD Firefighter with 5-year seniority is assigned to FS 27. He is a Marine Veteran attending Arizona State University. Mathew is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Emergency Management.
$2,000 Grants
Chase Kling: Stepson of Jamie Heald, LAFD Captain at FS 74. Chase is pursuing a degree in criminology.
Christina Ackley: Daughter of Daniel Ackley, an Army Veteran who is assigned to FS 109. Christina is attending Chaffey College, pursuing a career as an Educator.
Dev Kumar: Son of Nitin Kumar, LAFD firefighter at FS 43. Dev just entered college at the University of Santa Cruz and is pursuing a career in Business Aviation.
$1,000 Grants
Brianna Carlin: Daughter of LAFD Captain Richard Carlin, who is assigned to FS 76. Brianna recently graduated from high school and is attending Long Beach State University, pursuing a career in Dentistry.
Hayden Lionetti: Stepdaughter of LAFD Captain Brian Smith, assigned to FS 98. Hayden is a high school student and plans to pursue a career in Nursing.
James Lievense: Son of LAFD Captain Dan Lievense, who is assigned to FS 110. James is attending Cal State Long Beach and pursuing a career as a Firefighter.
Kate Taggart: Daughter of LAFD Captain Kelly Taggart, who is assigned to FS 5. Kate is attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is pursuing a career in Business.
Kristofer Jorgensen: An LAFD Apparatus Operator assigned to FS 5. He is enrolled at the University of Alaska, pursuing a career in Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
Military Grant Funds from the Tech Sergeant Jack Kushner Foundation
Christina Ackley
Mathew Castillo
Congratulations to all of our 2025 UFLAC Fire Foundation Mid-Year Education Grant Awardees!
Winter 2024 Scholarship Awardees
We are proud to announce the winners for the UFLAC Grant and Scholarship Program for the second half of 2024. Congratulations to all the awardees, who will be receiving their letters and have been invited to attend the UFLAC March General Membership meeting for a special presentation.
The scholarship grant recipients are:
$4,000 Dollar Grants
Kyler G. Linton, son of LAFD Firefighter Gregory Linton. He is a student at Brigham Young University focusing on Molecular Biology. Kyler not only serves others in his own community but has had the opportunity to serve in Kosovo and Albania.
Aidan J Byrne, son of LAFD Firefighter Leo Byrne. Aidan is a past recipient of the education grant. He is working towards his Masters in International Business at American University. He has had the opportunity to serve as an Intern in Washington while working towards his goal to serve others.
$2,000 Dollar Grants
Shawn T Lenske, Shawn is an active LAFD Firefighter working towards a Masters Degree in Nursing to become a Nurse Practitioner.
Emry J Insley, daughter of LAFD Firefighter Trevor Insley. Emry is currently in high school and will be pursuing a career in nursing.
Matthew Ponce, son of LAFD Firefighter Robert C Ponce. He is a student at College of the Canyons working towards a career in law enforcement.
Madison Castillo, daughter of LAFD Firefighter Lisandro Castillo. She is a High School student seeking higher education in Political Science and Pre-Law.
$1,000 Dollar Grants
Justin W Howard, brother of LAFD Firefighter Jaran Howard. He has dealt with many personal challenges and was recently accepted to UCLA to pursue a degree in Psychology.
Robert M Perez, Robert is an active LAFD Firefighter working towards a Doctorate in Education at USC specializing in Organizational Change and Leadership.
Darion M Timmons, Darion is an active LAFD Firefighter working to further his education in Computer Science at Southern New Hampshire University.
Paloma M Padini, daughter of LAFD Firefighter Christian Padini. She is a high school student working to further her knowledge in Molecular Biology and Biophysics.
Summer 2024 Scholarship Awardees
$4,000 Dollar Grants
Maile L McMillan is the daughter of UFLAC member Michael McMillan. She is seeking a career in Art Illustration.
Ryan P Connolly is the son of UFLAC member Shawn Connolly. He is currently enrolled in welding school in Texas.
$2,000 Dollar Grants
Kari J Field is a member of the LAFD who is continuing to pursue her higher education goals to better serve the LAFD and the Community.
Rylie E Kohl is the daughter of UFLAC member David Kohl. She is a high school graduate pursuing a career to be Veterinarian.
Logan L Hardy is the son of UFLAC member Kevin Hardy, LAFD. He is a college student and seeking a career in Business
Ashlyn J Shelton is the daughter of UFLAC member and military veteran Jason Shelton. He is a university student seeking a career in Biology Science. Funds for this grant comes from the Tech Sgt Jack Kushner Retd Foundation.
Isaiah Guth is a Maui firefighter who lost his home in the 2023 Maui Fire. His wife and two children escaped the fire with only their clothes on their backs and are continuing the long process of rebuilding their home and lives.
$1,000 Dollar Grants
Kwante L Hampton II is the son of UFLAC member Kwante Hampton. He is seeking a career in business and firefighting.
Hayden D Lionetti is the dependent of UFLAC member Brian Smith who is seeking a career in Nursing.
Fashion M Castillo-Delgadillo is the daughter of UFLAC member Erik San Martin, LAFD. She is a college student seeking a career in public relations and advertising.
Cierra D Garfield is the daughter of UFLAC member Jody Garfield. She is a college student seeking a career in health care.
Winter 2023 Scholarship Awardees
The following individuals were presented with their scholarships at the General Membership meeting on September 11, 2024:
$4,000 Award WinnersCeleste C Aguirre, daughter of Victor Aguirre, LAFD. High School student, accepted to nursing program.
- Carson D. Fox, son of Jeff D. Fox, LAFD. High School student, pursuing a career in Kinesiology.
$2,000 Award Winners
- Dev Kumar, son of Nitin Kumar, LAFD. High school student, pursuing a career as a pilot.
- Autumn E. Verwey, daughter of Eric M. Verwey, LAFD, High school student, pursuing a career in forensic science.
- Katherine M. Cordaro, daughter of Kenneth W. Cordaro, LAFD. High school student, pursuing a career in sociology. Military Veteran funds awarded from the Tech Sgt Jack Kushner Retd Foundation.
- Samatha K. Martinez, daughter of Vince C. Martinez, LAFD. College student, pursuing a career in education foundation. Military Veteran funds awarded from the Tech Sgt Jack Kushner Retd Foundation.
$1,000 Award Winners
- Isabella S Porretta, daughter of Alexender Porretta, LAFD. High school student, pursuing a career in film production.
- Jacob V Foster, son of Vincent V Foster, LAFD. High school student, pursuing a career in Psychology Pre-med Track.
- Maura A Ruiz, spouse of Andrew Ruiz, LAFD. College student, pursuing career in Speech Language Pathology.
- Kathleen A Urrea, spouse of Julian Urrea, LAFD. College student, pursuing a career in Law.
Additional $2,000 Awards for Maui Firefighters
Each of the following recipients are Maui Firefighters who lost their homes in the devastating 2023 fire. Their families have all been displaced and have been deeply impacted by this tragedy.
Ikaika Neizman
Jonathan Varona
Joseph U Bingham
Steven E O’Donnell
Josh Gruber
Chad C Johnson
Summer 2023 Scholarship Awardees
The following individuals were presented with their scholarships at the General Membership meeting on August 29th, 2023:
$2,000 Award Winners
Aidan J. Byrne
Cailla L. Esparza
$1,000 Award Winners
Deslyn J. Stiles
Kylie D. Elizarraras
Maya L. Matthews
Taylor J. Brown
$500 Award Winners
Ava M. Parra
Fiona C. O’Connor
Kyler G. Linton
Michael T. Cantrell
Winter 2022 Scholarship Awardees
The following individuals were presented with their scholarships at the General Membership meeting on January 25th, 2023:
$2,000 Award Winners
Brandon S. Smith
Dean E. Hirsch
$1,000 Award Winners
Kayla J. Ferreras
Sarah G. Kemp
Roy W. Egizi
Katlyn P. Hamm
$500 Award Winners
Jordan T. Handy
Ashlyn D. Quinn
Luke K. Vargas
Emily S. Arellano
Tyler L. Serrano
Isabella N. Fortini
Leanne E. Grant
Presley E. Jones
Matt Pritchard
Summer 2022 Scholarship Awardees
On August 24, 2022, the UFLAC Fire Foundation announced another round of scholarship award winners. These individuals come from local firefighter families and they applied for UFLAC Fire Foundation scholarships to assist in their educational and career pursuits.
The following individuals were presented with their scholarships at the General Membership meeting:
$2,000 Award Winners
Tristan G Kennedy
Jared T Steinman
$1,000 Award Winners
Adrienne L Walker
Aidan J Byrne
Caitlyn N Connolly
Luke H Taggart
$500 Award Winners
Leia C Alvarado
Jake D Petersen
Hadley M Goodwin
Austin D Ladd
Winter 2021 Scholarship Awardees
On January 26, 2022, the UFLAC Fire Foundation awarded 10 Education and Support Grants at the General Membership Meeting. The Grants are awarded two times per year but due to staffing issues and COVID the awards could not be presented until January 2022. Selection for the awards are based on the essay submitted with emphasis on need, sincerity and service to others. The awardees included individuals who were pursuing higher education and training to pursue new careers. The UFLAC Foundation proudly present the following Awardees:
$2,000 Award Winners
Niani R Shields
Brandon Smith
$1,000 Award Winners
Jackson D Fox
Cierra D Garfield
Connor Spencer
Tavora M Valenzuela
$500 Award Winners
Aidan J Byrne
Nicholas Rodgers
Sarah Ponce
Makena D Murillo